Author's Note

Check out the last part of the previous chapter. There are some major changes. ;-)

The monster cockroach lashed its filthy legs at Suiryu and Eclair. Its hairy limbs incited the worst goosebumps to those who possessed a certain phobia to the unclean demon. Now, they rushed at them as their true preys escaped.

"TsaaaaaHHH!"

However, the champion sent his fist to bludgeon the poor, hideous creature, canceling its lethal strike. With such a wicked velocity that strangled the air in its way, his fist that carried all his ire blasted through the dirty creeper's chest. Its lower half exploded in gooey white while the measly upper part took off to the sky gloriously, flung by the remnant of his blow's might.

"I'll go after them."

"Be careful, Lord Ryu!"

He dropped the knocked-out vampire and left. What she saw afterwards was a carnage one could never thought that it came from a human.

One Punch Man belongs to One.
Rising of The Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi.
I own neither of them.

| Band of Predators |

Eclair winced slightly due to her bruised chest. She sent one last glance at Stoss, a conflicted expression spreading across her face. After considering the vampire's state, she was certain that the bloodsucker wouldn't wake up any time soon. She took a deep breath and pushed forward, tracking her savior's ongoing insane stunt.

She ran and the freshly shredded trees passed her frantic sight. It was a needless show of force, but she didn't mind that.

Eclair soon saw Nadia fly, leaving dazed Kohaku behind. It washed her with relief, for her hero was the one who took on that wench. Now, her enemy was only one. She gripped the chance and pressed the tip of her broken sword into the sly vixen's back.

"Surrender!"

"W-whah?!"

"My blade will impale you should you try anything funny."

Eclair pushed her clipped blade into Kohaku's back deeper, prompting the fox to stiffly raise her hands in surrender. Her face contorted into a sour scowl. She bit her lip at her miserable failure. Her pride as a haughty artist of swindling earned a scalding scar, not even time could heal it. She slowly tilted her head, inviting nothing but Eclair's piercing glare.

"If you lose, blame yourself for your weakness."

Came Eclair's cold reply, aggravating Kohaku's already smoldering fury. She turned around sharply and shrieked as the veins in her neck and forehead bulged.

"Weak?! Do you really think I am weak?!"

"Indeed. You relied on your servants too much. Far too much, I think."

"I… You know nothing about me!" Kohaku barked.

"No matter. But at least I can point out your failure in the first place." Eclair shrugged.

"Shut up! –Ack!"

Eclair pommeled Kohaku's sternum with her sword's hilt, silencing the fox demi-human. Her glare grew more menacing as she was still holding her sword.

"The loser has no right to rant. You annoy me, oh so much."

"And you're the one…. who ruined my plan! All… you yammered... were nonsense! Useless crap about being a winner!" Kohaku barked louder through her ragged breath.

"Do you need a slap to your face, perhaps?"

"You… ENOUGH!"

Kohaku drew a knife from her kimono and lunged at Eclair, baring all her rage. As her arm reared and tracked its way to stab the former knight, her foe widened her eyes and grappled her. Kohaku slammed into the ground, hard, and a bluish white light suddenly claimed her vision.

"Arghh…! Ugh..."

When she turned at her supposed captor as she regained her sight, Eclair had been burned by a thunder strike. She stood stiff for a moment as her skin slightly smoldered, then dropped to her knees, and on her stomach. She was still breathing, but the remaining static made her body fell into spasm. Her breathing was laborious, hitched and painful.

"… Y-you!"

"W-what…?"

Eclair croaked out. Her eyes looked hazy, but her gaze didn't show any decline of her will to fight. That groomed a frustration in Kohaku as she stared at her miserable gaoler. Should her rage not claim her judgment, that moment was her way for an escape.

But that wouldn't happen. She demanded Eclair's answer.

"… Why? Why did you save me?!"

"Did I save you?" A tiny snort slipped out from Eclair and she smiled. "I am not really sure."

"Don't play dumb! You just shoved me away to take the brunt of that thunderbolt! Is that your way to insult me?! Because you think I am weak?!"

Eclair chuckled weakly. "Heh. Probably you are right. Actually, I conceive no ill-view toward demi-humans. I regard them equally as humankind. And I hailed from a place where demi-humans were the people I need to protect."

Kohaku's frown loosened, her eyes shot wide open. She took Eclair's words, but her mind could barely accept them. Eclair showed no sign as being a liar, but her answer was too much for Kohaku to fathom. A human would normally abhorred her kind, but this one was different. That in itself didn't even exist in a dream. It was impossible.

"Thus I hope you would accept my apology for regarding you as my charge."

Kohaku bit her lip, her fangs piercing her soft skin and drawing out blood. The blood could be salty, but the bitterness of the realization she tasted sullied it. She was confused and angry, but lost any drive to continue what she began.

Fox demi-human, or kitsune, was a proud race. But she and a few of her folks also respected those who stand for the weak. As a code of honor, she never harmed patrons of the lame. It left her with an agonizing clash in her mind. Making money from fat swines of arena owners but never tried to stop them from brutalizing their subjects for the sake of pleasure, just how hypocritical she was?

"… Damn it!" She jammed her knife into the ground. "Why… Why a person like you should appear?!"

"Unfortunately, I also wonder about it. Maybe it is fate."

Kohaku's mind drifted back to the talk upon their encounter. She caught a hint that her foe was trying to dominate her, granting a different meaning about strength. It infuriated her, but Eclair's reason intrigued her. It wouldn't heal her wounded pride. It could even worsen it, but at least it was a fair change.

"Ah, forget it!" Kohaku shook her head. "Now tell me… What's the meaning of being strong you kept on blabbering about?"

Eclair tilted her head towards the direction where the thunder came and pointed her finger at it.

"To be strong, is just like him. Now behold…"

From the distance, they could see blue sparks illuminate the dark sky, flashing from the ground. Trees fell down and blasts boomed, heralding the magnitude of the fight they witnessed. It was the clash of two predators, Nadia and Suiryu.

'She's strong. And skillful.' Suiryu mentally remarked as lightnings lashed at him.

After Nadia morphed into her beast form, her fighting prowess spiked dramatically. Not only was she able to block and evade his heavy swings, but she could also cast thunder element magic with scant chants. Not that she overwhelmed him, but as he played with her using his halberd to add handicap, her magic proved to be a cause of concern.

'That sparky magic… Just how many times she could unleash that in a row?' He wondered, slapping away her electrifier attacks as his gaze fixed on the bar below her HP. 'This is like fighting a guy with a high-tech plasma gun on steroid. I'm gonna be cooked if I slip.'

"What's the matter, pretty boy? Don't tell me you're out of charcoal already. You see, the moon hasn't even reached the peak. Didn't you say you wanna have some fun with me?" Nadia taunted, muttering her incantation shortly and spewed another lightning bolt.

Suiryu flipped backwards to avoid the lightning and gripped a tree branch, hanging under it. He took a break, his mind racing to find a way to deal with her. Neither did she say, nor attempt anything on his action. She wordlessly watched him and took his behavior as a sign of his weakness and exhaustion, which he was grateful for.

He was well aware that his measly spear-wielding technique was nothing compared to hers, but he never thought that she was way formidable than he had expected. She had displayed an amazing mastery in both spear-wielding and thunder magic that would undoubtedly place her in a roster of pro heroes should she was one.

Thus, he should switch back to his most trusted arsenal. The very legacy of his one and only revered teacher.

'In the end, my fists scream louder. Thanks, ojii-san... No, I can't thank you enough.' The successor of [Void Fist] sighed inwardly, staring at his free hand. 'I'll go a little bit rough.'

Suiryu feigned a sigh of weariness. "Hey, I think you're right. I feel like a rag already."

"I can tell, you see. You look like a wrinkled clothes when you met me."

She didn't really buy his act. Her gaze were still stern although she relaxed her guards. Not that he wanted to launch a surprise attack, but dealing with an opponent who had a lot of energy was terrible. Like most of his final fights on the ring, he never planned to prolong his show once he was certain he could outmatch his foes.

"But don't you think you miss something?"

"Hmm, what is it?" She tapped her squeaky chin with her fin-like finger. "Oh! Where's your freakish martial arts? Is swatting my thunders as far as it can go?"

"Do you really want me to show you something cooler? I might end up beating you silly."

"Ah, no worry 'bout that. I'm tougher than I look."

"Really?" Suiryu smirked. "Then if I win, go out with me and Eclair."

"Fine by me. And if I win, you'll go out with me and treat me on some drinks."

"It's a deal. Then no regrets."

"No regrets."

He swung skywards off the tree and rode on the momentum of his descent to chop the ground. His strike broke the soil, opening a gaping fissure that split through Nadia's footing.

"What the hell?!" The orca lady jumped aside in surprise, rowing her bident to her front. "Just what's that!?"

"I haven't even started yet! This is a payback for firing lightnings at me!"

"It's not magic! This guy's insane!" She muttered under her breath as flying rock debris wheezed around her.

The female killer whale landed, her hoof-like feet crushing the ground as the fissure kept rushing forward. It stopped the moment it crashed a half-buried boulder, cracking it.

Suiryu lifted his hand and flashed a smug smile at Nadia. He flexed his muscle a little and made a karate stance, garnering an unreadable look of vexation on her face.

"Hey, didn't you say you want me to show this?"

"That's true. But this is just…"

She cast a thunderbolt spell. In response, he didn't budge from his place and just swatted her attacks with kicks, almost casually. He then began his slow, yet steady advance as she kept on firing lightnings.

"But what? Does it scare you? Oh, come on, there's no way a brave girl like you find this little stunt as something awful. Besides, you kept on firing those crazy thunders at me."

"That's so sweet of you saying I'm brave. But I think you know that it's not that simple."

"Are you admitting you've lost already. Not cool."

The edge of Nadia's mouth twitched. Under normal circumstances, she was a calm fighter who never got irritated easily. However, this was the first time she experienced such a frustrating predicament that forced her to surrender.

'… Unless I wanna get beaten into pulp. And if his chop lands on me, I'll be a dead fish for real.'

Her whim had plunged her into this situation. Were she to follow her sane mind, she would have just admitted loss and got over with this stupid showdown. Nonetheless, she fell for her own desire to have a sip of a momentary thrill, eventually revealing a dread she doubtfully could face.

He, who never got any plan in the first place, enjoyed an amusing match in return. His night couldn't get any joyous. His fists felled two big preys. Nadia would be the third, he was sure of it.

"So, what's the problem?" He inquired, pulling out his trusted weapon. "You're free to use your magic, so I fill the gap with my martial arts. Fair enough, right?"

"I guess so. Still, now I doubt that what you're pulling out was a real martial art. As far as I know, that kind of fighting technique won't ever give you that kind of crazy ability."

"Maybe, but what I learned is a truly genuine martial art, [Void Fist]. Unlike common martial arts, it was developed as a means to snatch as many advantages as possible in a fight. A well-balanced offense and defense you can say. You can have all the doubt, though. Cause it isn't a martial art from around here."

Nadia looked at his stance in scrutiny. He was a true arm-ranged fighter, not a spear-wielder. Had she paid closer attention to it earlier, she would have kept him at bay by shooting stronger lightnings nonstop and unleashing her ace, Dritte Series, ending the fight once and for all. Alas, he was deceptively playful, concealing his fangs wasn't a problem. He was also a good performer, probably even better than her.

'… And I fell for it. This isn't fun anymore.'

"Are we done with our bout tonight?" Suiryu quirked a brow.

"I hate to say it, but I guess this is the conclusion. Still, if you're generous enough trade a blow with me for the last time, I'll be happier." Nadia huffed, venting out her irk.

The corners of Suiryu's lips curled up at Nadia's offer. Rather than a slug-fest, he preferred that kind of exchange. It looked more honorable to him. He lowered his stance as she also took her preparation.

"Nice idea. Then don't regret it if you lose."

"It's pointless to have a regret at this point." She shrugged her shoulders. "Let's do this."

"Well then."

A night breeze blew, shaking the trees surrounding them. The two combatants' muscles tensed as their gaze met. On the mark of a cracking branch, they rushed forward, aiming at each other with their weapons poised. They advanced in approximately equal speed.

Time stilled the moment they was about to collide. They swung their weapons forward, cutting the air. The whistle that presaged the fall of a warrior's blood since time immemorial trailed behind their weapons. Like beasts made of metal, their blades crashed, biting at each other.

However, their respective weapons were different, marking their origins, and so were the raw might of their wielders. And those settled any dispute about the victor.

"h-What–?!" Nadia gasped when her bident's blade shattered. "Ugh! [Zweite Thunder Aura B–!"

She didn't even have the chance to utter her spell since his left leg suddenly flew to her side. It was too fast to register.

The moment she reclaimed her senses, a half of her face was inside the ground. Her eye veered toward her vicinity and soon found him, standing triumphantly before her. He was looking down at her with a winner's smile on his face.

"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to hit you this hard, but I couldn't stand a sudden magic attack. It's so annoying." He scratched the back of his head, his smile turning apologetic.

From her burial spot, Nadia finally realized that she lost. She didn't hold any grudge, though. She sighed and wriggled out from the ground, sitting and dusting her squeaky person. She found a hand he offered and took it.

"Did you hit me cause I look like a monster?" She asked, straightening her back as she stood. "Look. Even if I'm a monster, I still have nice boobies."

Suiryu's brow furrowed. He looked at her with incredulity, his eyes glancing at the extra feature that made her a genuine mammal, unlike her animal counterpart. It was a bizarre sight he couldn't put into words, so he went with whatever things that crossed his mind.

"Yeah. I should admit, after coming here, there are so many new things that interest me, however weird they are."

"Like?"

"The fact I fought a strong opponent like you, out of the blue."

"Oh?"

Nadia nodded, furtively studying his mien. Although his face painted perplexity upon the sight of her form, there was no hint of disgust. Instead, she caught a glint of fascination in his stare. It garnered a smile on her face as she turned around, her tail swinging gracefully.

"I guess that's sweet of you. I'm not that strong, you know? Still, do you perhaps have a penchant for doing some therianthrope girls?"

His face scrunched up into a displeased frown. "That's just too straightforward for saying I'm a blind lecher. I've my own preference for girls."

"Oh ho! So you admit that you're a playboy."

"I cannot deny that." He rolled his eyes.

"Then what about that little strawberry knight? She seems to be too stiff. Wonder how you can go out with her."

"She's very nice and not as stiff as you see, you know."

"Really? By nice, have you ever treated her on a drink?" She inquired, closing in on him curiously like a playful dolphin.

"Drink…"

Suiryu's thought flew back to the haunting event that robbed her purity. It all began from a drink. He never imbibed any fiery beverages after that incident, nor did Eclair. They just went with ales and never once did she complain. As he mused about that, he recalled his grandfather's wise words.

"Drunkenness is a short path to reach the essence of Void Fist. But beware, for it dulls your ability in combat."

"Hey, I'm waiting for your answer."

"We had. But I found it not as enjoyable as I thought. Going out to the city for sightseeing is more fun." He replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Hmm. Do you call it fun? What good in loitering the city like a pair of ghosts?"

"That's rude. You can at least give a more docile comment if you don't like it."

"Haha… Sorry, sorry. Alright. I'm just kidding, you know. But seems that it's a talk for some other time. You need to take care of her before we can crash the bar."

Nadia pointed at the incoming guests who appeared from the thicket. Kohaku was carrying Eclair on her back, cuts and burns marred their clothes. She put on a terribly sour look as Eclair peeked her head from behind the vixen's abundant ponytail. Eclair gave a tired smile when she saw Suiryu.

"Aw, perfect…" Suiryu dryly commented.

"And me either, since I should deal with Loren, first."

The group of mercenaries followed shortly after, walking from the mansion. Monster blood painted their battle attires, a mark of their successful hunt on the stragglers after Suiryu left.

"Guess we'll skip the celebration." Suiryu rolled his eyes.

Came morning after the bizarre night operation, the mercenaries had a rest. They took the time to bury their fallen friends and recuperate.

Losing friends sure was painful, but their life as soldiers of fortune rolled just like that. They played in a business that consumes lives, most came prepared. Day in and day out with death that could pound their necks at any moment had get them accustomed with the surprises. They had gotten used to it that they were almost trauma-proof.

And its proof looked apparent when they could slip back into normal life rhythm, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

Near a tent, a stone-throw away from Loren's, Eclair had gathered with some ladies. Under Larsazusa's lead, now in her human form, they were waiting for the scout they sent in advance. The moment she returned, Larsazusa raised her hand to gather their attention.

"Alright, girls! We've found a river nearby! Off we go there!"

Cheers of excitement followed as stomps of their feet trampled the grassy ground. They merrily traversed a thin forest, and found the natural waterway. Its stream shone almost golden under the morning sun ray. The air of early summer had warmth it. It truly was a pleasant place to wash away any dirt and grimes.

Without any further command, they deftly released any restraints called their garments and jumped into the water in their barest form.

Oh, what a sight!

But no man could live to tell the tale, either because of the presence of a terrible guardian named their commander, or they were still too drunk to wake up from their tents.

As for our dear, strawberry-haired knight, she took her cleansing time to her utmost. She dipped into the cool water and washed away the trace of her nightly devotion from her well-endowed body. Thanks to the help of some healers, her skin had no trace of burn anymore. It truly surprised the Spear Hero, and he gratefully thanked her by giving her a gentle care.

Enraptured by the memory when he tenderly indulged her, she hummed a tune. As she joyfully washed her assets that pleased her savior so much, a girl with ampler ones suddenly showed up. She had the naughtiest grin Eclair could have ever seen gracing a woman's face.

She was the very woman who inflicted an injury on Eclair. The one who lost to Suiryu, Nadia.

All the glee on Eclair's face faded. "… You. What business do you have with me?"

"Boobies!"

The way the black-haired wench exhibit her assets looked innocent, yet so obscene. Those hanging flesh that stuck with her chest jiggled up and down, inviting nothing but a rush of men's pure carnal blood. Eclair couldn't call them ugly, for they were beautifully tempting, much to her chagrin. What pulled her nerves the hardest was the prospect that those things might mesmerize her hero.

As a guy, he was a fan of boobs as well.

"Would you like to get away fast? I truly despise a woman who flaunts her bust. Only unclean women do so."

"Hey, I take a bath twice a day, you know. Do I smell really terrible to you?"

Nadia's teasing really riled Eclair up. The forehead of the ever so serious knight got some bulging veins. With trembling lips, her arm sprung forward. She grabbed one of Nadia's handful melons, her fingers clawing into the lump of soft flesh. Her move was incredibly fast, leaving even a swift fighter like Nadia no time to react.

"Hyaah~!"

"You see, if I have the strength and cruelty of a monster, I will have torn this cursed fruit apart and eat it! Think of this as a payback for hitting me twice last night!"

Even the most vicious predator faltered before a greater threat. Nadia might be the winner in the scuffle last night, but before Eclair's gaze, she gulped, feeling herself like a fish in front of a starved cat. She got a strained smile as Eclair's fingers still bit deep into her breast like a hawk's talons.

"O-okay. Sorry, about that. But can you at least let go of my boob?"

"Take it back if you like it so much." Eclair shoved it with a slap. "Damn tits!"

"Ow… You don't need to be this rough, okay?" Nadia held her asset and softly rubbed it. "Does your boyfriend like to do this to you?"

A glare that could pierce a river rock near them came from Eclair. It was so scathing that the girls who frolicked a little bit far from them even flinched. Nadia instinctively raised her hands, shielding her face from the vengeful leer.

"Owow! Sorry, I didn't mean to insult your boyfriend, honest."

Eclair's glare lashed on Nadia a while longer. She soon discarded her ire with a huff, letting herself sink into the water, deeper. At that point, Nadia's presence turned into a bother rather than a threat.

'Or at least she harms my mental fortitude and patience. I suddenly feel so tired. My good night rest comes to waste.'

A moment of silence wrapped them as they let the cool water stream washed their bodies. Eclair was still sporting a sour look, but she stole some curious glances at her opponent. Meanwhile, Nadia had reclaimed her mysterious smile, yet she allowed some daring ventures for her eyes to nab a peek at Eclair. Their gazes at some points met, but they only responded by turning away.

Feeling the situation was pathetically dour, Nadia finally snatched the chance. She sighed loudly, enough to gain Eclair's attention.

"… I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"Everything, I think?" Nadia turned to Eclair, tilting her head.

"Is that all you want to say?"

From Eclair's look, Nadia knew she wouldn't forgive her. And she didn't expect so. However, she still had a little hope that they at least they can get along.

Eclair's boyfriend then crossed her mind, gracing her with curiosity. She thought that it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to dig more about him from her. Who knows, it could lift the tension.

"No. Actually, I also wanna talk about your boyfriend."

"What?"

'… Or maybe not.'

Before Eclair could lash at her again, Nadia raised a hand. "It's not about him in particular. I mean, I just want to know how you met him. He seems like a very nice guy."

"And what does that concern me with? As far as I know, you don't have anything to do with our relationship. Stop messing with us."

"You seriously misunderstand what I wanna say and go with whatever you thought just because you hate me, huh? You're awfully stiff. Your boyfriend has a big expectation about you, you know?"

"You are lying!" Eclair hissed.

"Can you at least hear me? He said you're nice."

Eclair wouldn't let herself lose in anger any more than that. She clenched her jaws, holding to whatever that remained of her patience, pulling back the rein of her rage. She got enough with that and looked at the woman before her with a meaningful ill-gaze.

"And would you leave me be so that I can stay being nice? I am not in the mood to entertain you with any talk at the moment."

"Alright, if that's what you want. Well, maybe next time. See you later."

The orca lady waved her hand and left, smiling amicably despite the bitter look she got from the former knight. She might have failed to chat with the Spear Hero's companion, but she still had free time.

'Besides, I can still talk to him if I want. And it's not like little Loren hates me to the bone, right?'

Night had fallen by the time they reached a quarter of their way home. The sky was cloudy, obscuring the moon and stars as thunders clapped under the roiling black mass in the distance.

It was a rather cold night, thus most of the resting Falcons cooked hot soups for dinner to ward off the chill.

That evening, Suiryu cooked some stew with chilly pepper. He whipped it out fast, chopping the vegetables into small pieces and tossed them into the pan before Eclair could have any say about the menu. He raised his hand when she was about to speak in the least reproachful manner.

"Sorry. We only took some provisions for around four-day travel. I hope you can bear with this."

"No, it is not about that, Lord Ryu?" She shook her head.

"Then what?" He quirked a brow.

"It is about the way you prepare the dish. You seemed to be so hasty."

"Oh." Suiryu glanced at the pan with nostalgic look. "Well, I think it's some sort of habit when it's going to rain. When I was alone, I always cooked by myself and finished the cooking quickly so that I can enjoy it when it's finally downpour. It's not something so important, but thanks. You've reminded me."

"Ah, I see. So you have that weird habit. Interesting." Eclair nodded and turned her head towards the sky, smiling.

A wind blew, but the tempting aroma of the dish grew stronger and drifted in the air, as if it tried to protect those who sniff it from the biting cold. Eclair put on a pleased look as she sat close to the fire. An arm comfortingly wrapped around her shoulder and her smile stretched wider.

"… Lord Suiryu?" She hummed, turning at him, her cheeks blushing.

"Well, you see, Eclair, I think this trip is fun." He started.

"In what manner does it amuse you?"

"The fights, I think? Or maybe because I can see this beautiful world."

"Ah…"

Like a recurring dream, she once again recalled that he didn't belong to this world. He was a true stranger, pulled in by the egoistical fools who wanted to have the job done easily. The thought that the perpetrator was her country brought a grimace to her face. She felt a burdening responsibility for being a part of Melromarc, putting her in this journey to aid the Spear Hero.

Yet she was happy with that. Because she got an unexpected, newfound satisfaction she never felt before.

"Something wrong?"

"Oh… um, it is nothing. I also think that this journey is wonderful."

He found a hint of uncertainty on her face, but he only raised a brow while patting her slender arm. She turned at him as her smile nestled back on her face.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, then I'm happy to hear that." He checked the pan, finding the content release some hot bubbles. "Oh, it's ready."

"Right." She nodded and prepared a pair of wooden bowls and spoons. "Even with meager supply, you can make delicious food for us. This is also something I am amazed of."

He let out a small chuckle as he poured the stew into their bowls. "I'm flattered. But the truth is simply because sometimes I cooked with what I could find. You know, I was too lazy or forgot to go out shopping groceries."

"I-I see." She gave a wry smile. "I never thought that a diligent person like you often forgets the most basic things. Regardless, your skill in cooking can even make many ladies jealous of you."

"Oh, really?"

Suiryu's wry smile was crumbling as a foreboding feeling hit him like a storm. He always got this sensation whenever he chatted with girls in trouble.

The corners of Eclair's lips bent down. "As for myself, I don't have the skill in cooking. I have no idea how it can turn out like this, but I think a curse has been set upon me."

Suiryu's brow creased. "Curse? What do you mean by that? That's impossible. Cooking is not that difficult. It's a matter of how often you do it."

"No. I tried to cook when I was home, so many times, I believe. But a disaster always followed every time I stepped into the kitchen."

Suiryu gulped. His hold on the bowl in his hand slightly turned rigid. With trepidation, he uttered the next word.

"Like…?"

"I set the fire too big that the pot melted. I poured too much salt. I also once added in wrong ingredients. And when I finally made a dish with decent enough look, I almost poisoned my maid. When I tasted it, it truly was awful."

Suiryu covered his mouth, regretting his unneeded curiosity. He couldn't help but inwardly cry. Eclair had a hollow stare as she recounted her tragic story. The sight stung his heart even more.

"I see. That's really hard for you." He gave a sympathizing look as his lips faintly quivered.

"Indeed. I even thought that I would be a loner until the day I die. Because I cannot cook."

Her bleak response halted his mind process. Any ideas to console her through words dissolved in his brain like a sugar cube in a cup of hot tea. He averted his gaze in discomfort, seeing the bowl with some puffing, appetizing smoke in his hand. It was his first time feeling so grateful at his cooking skill.

"… My condolences." Suiryu muttered weakly in defeat.

"Hmm?"

"No. It's alright. Actually it's not the end of the world when you can't do that, see?"

He held back the pricking pain in his feelings from seeping to his face with a smile. She took his sympathy gratefully, smiling in return.

"You are right. It is not something to despair on. Besides…" Eclair's cheeks flushed red as she stared at her bowl. "What pleasure is greater than being in the care of a man you love, one who spoils you with delicious dish and much, much more…?"

"Huh?"

Her response nearly squeezed all air in his windpipe. He hung his jaw, trying to process her reply.

He never considered himself as a great man. Indeed, he once believed that he was strong, haughtily looking down on his opponents. Maybe he took praises for his coolness as a martial artist. He certainly took flattery from girls as they clung to him.

Those hollow treats were in the past.

Eclair was a different case. Her heartfelt admiration pierced straight through his core.

'Could it be that she really–?'

His train of thought broke off course when a familiar figure slipped into the corner of his sight. It went closer, and so with Eclair's sudden burst of bloodlust. He turned at them, and what looked like a lioness and a female orca had been staring at each other. The former predator was seething in fury, the latter was sporting a calm look.

'… A fierce cat and a big fish. Just who will win? Never mind.' He wondered in daze, forgetting that even the bowl of warm stew was still in his grasp.

"… And again? Are you going to cause a ruckus?" Eclair shot an accusatory glare at Nadia.

"Of course not. I bring some fish and wine. I cannot have these by myself, right? So, why not have dinner together?"

Eclair immediately turned at Suiryu. She caught a trace of uneasiness on his mien upon the mention of stiff drink. She glanced back at the troublesome woman as the bottle in Nadia's hold glimmered before the camp fire. An idea to refuse the guest almost popped out in her mind, but she relented when Suiryu parted his lips. Her savior could handle things wisely, or she believed so.

"Well, I guess it's cool. Then come and join us." He spoke, a welcoming smile hung on his face.

"Sure. The more, the merrier~."

Nadia walked over and seated herself opposite the pair. By this point, Eclair had suppressed any idea to object Suiryu's decision. He took her gift and stared at them, casting a puzzled look. From the way Nadia handed her gift, Eclair deemed the gesture a friendly one. It calmed her nerves, but not enough to quench the rambling disappointment in her mind.

"… So a trout, huh? And err… This is a big one." Suiryu lifted the fish with eerie three eyes by its tail, wondering what he could make out of it. "It'll be a bother if I must cook a new menu with the pan. Any idea?"

"Just roast them. They're really delish with just some salt." Nadia suggested.

"Okay. Guess salt really is a legendary seasoning, even beyond worlds." He shrugged and began to prepare the new dish, placing the fish onto a wood block he used to chop vegetables.

"Hmm?"

'… Ow, I leak it.'

That offhanded remark didn't escape Nadia's hearing. She tilted her head and looked at Suiryu inquisitively. Her serene blue eyes suddenly landed on the item that stuck on his back, narrowing at it. From her gaze, he could tell how intrigued she was.

Worse, Eclair couldn't lend any help. She was still bogged in the swamp of her own suspicion on Nadia.

As Suiryu was chopping the otherworldly trout and tossed its innards away, he snatched some glances at the orca in silent panic. Even until now, he hadn't told anyone that he was a Spear Hero, his identity remained shrouded except for his companion. He still held the fear that once his identity known, everyone can sell it to Melromarc, concluding his journey with an unimaginable end. He was a fugitive and this country had all sorts of seller, from the foolishly wicked to the unforgivably wretched.

'… This is too much. Eclair can also be in danger because of me. Can I smash her if things go south?'

That dark thought flickered beneath his skull. Nadia seemed to be perceptive enough to piece together his profile from visual observation alone. Grim as it sounded, the best way to save his hide and Eclair's was to silence her.

With trepidation, he skewered the chopped fish. In each motion of the flesh impalement, his mind played images of how his spear went through his guest's chest in centiseconds. It was a surreal glimpse to the future, a truly grotesque vision he went through with bated breath. It added nothing but a growing weariness as he began to roast the skewers, slaughtering his appetite.

His eyes glided at Eclair to gather whatever consolation he could rake in, but she still had an unpleasant look on her face. The situation only served to cage him in agony. As the air grew heavier, he jammed the last skewer to the ground, facing the fire. He sprinkled some salt and felt the tip of his fingers go slightly numb.

As he waited for the roasted fish, the two ladies were still engaging in staring contest. Eclair's glare didn't wane, and so did Nadia's nonchalant smile. Suiryu decided to glide his attention toward the fish, lest the imaginary spark that flew from their gazes zap him.

"Pray tell, what actually do you want?" Eclair began sternly.

"Just saying hi. Is that too much for you?"

"Your presence alone reeks trouble. Do you know how much trouble you have caused us?"

"This is my form of apology." Nadia shrugged. "Still not sure?"

"No. I would not buy it. Your face tells your ulterior motive."

"Can you at least let me talk? Besides, your boyfriend has let me join the dinner."

"I merely exert a degree of caution."

Nadia's frown of protest only met Eclair's sterner reaction. The orca knew when to back down, and so retreat she did, her face softening. Still, rather than a milder look, she sported an expression of boredom.

"Oh, really? That sounds tiring."

Nadia's stare then veered to Suiryu, bidding a farewell to Eclair's unwelcoming gaze. She crossed her legs leisurely and rested her chin upon her palm.

"So, Ryu, is it? Can you tell me how you became a merc? I heard from little Sasa you're a freshman."

Suiryu inhaled. The alluring aroma of the burned trout fat wasn't able to kick out his uneasiness. That wasn't a harmful question as far as he could think, but answering it demanded his full attention. One slip might tangle him into a trouble with the killer whale.

"I didn't have money, but I can fight. Selling sword sure will give us some coins. It's the quickest way."

"Hmm… That's pretty obvious. Many people will say so. Say, are you perhaps a runaway?"

Suiryu's eyes widened. The same went to Eclair. His surprise didn't miss Nadia's sight, prompting her smile to stretch wider.

"Bullseye! Still, I'm not that cruel to dig into you, so just enjoy your stay here." She waved her hand, as if her words held nothing despite the pressure they imposed on the champ. "Oh, by the way, can I have the stew?"

"… Sure."

As his face made a grimace, he poured the stew into a new bowl and handed it to her. His mind swirled, trying to understand his current situation. Was it bad that she knew about his identity? If so, should he deal with her through a drastic measure? But how?

His musing halted when Eclair drew out her sword. She pointed it menacingly at Nadia, no trace of gentleness and mercy present on her face. She was hellbent on eliminating the threat before her.

"I should admit that you really are the best person who can push my patience to its limit. I truly mean my words. And… Now I cannot bear it anymore. Either you leave or I let my blade continue our chat."

"Eclair!" Suiryu rose to his feet, shooting a reprimanding look at his partner.

Despite the threat, Nadia didn't budge. She still sat calmly before them, her eyelashes descended gracefully like curtains. She fixed a relaxed expression at Eclair and raised her bowl. It appeared that Suiryu's presence was the thing that reassured her of her safety, anchoring her in place although a hurricane called Eclair was raging.

"How many times should I say you're so stiff? Chill a little bit, would you? Look, the soup's turning cold."

He vaguely got an idea how Eclair got a beef with Nadia, but he didn't think that it was that terrible. He unwillingly turned to Eclair, sending a look of disapproval. The former knight closed her eyes while sighing, sheathing her sword into its scabbard. A hint of regret marred her face.

"Please accept my deepest apology, Lord Ryu. I had surrendered to my wrath and lost my reign over myself."

He couldn't guarantee that his nervousness would never spill out like Eclair's were he placed in her stead. However, calming the situation looked better. He reached her shoulder and plopped down, easing her with a smile.

"It's all right. Let's have our dinner. Oh, the fish is done." He took one of the skewers and placed it above the tips of his bowl. "Thanks for the food."

He started to dig in before the girls could say anything. Exchanging reluctant glances, Eclair and Nadia followed. Eclair began with the skewer while Nadia with the stew. At the same moment those foods touched their tongues, their eyes widened.

"… How exquisite."

"This is rich!"

"Huh?"

And all those flares they lashed at each other seemed like rushing their leaves the moment they ate.

Suiryu reeled back in surprise upon seeing their reaction. He never thought his cooking was that great. It was just one among many ordinary recipes he learned from his grandfather, long time ago. As he cast a puzzled look, his lady friend turned at him.

"Lord Ryu, I think this roast fish is truly delicious."

"Not gonna lie, this is the best stew I've ever had."

"Are you serious? Why I got a feeling that you're going to turn me into a cook?"

"Because you are. Though your lancing skill is damn awful." Nadia commented.

"I take that as an insult to my savior, but in the case of his cooking, I cannot disagree." Eclair took another bite of the fish.

'Just which side are you, Eclair?'

"Now, now, won't it be bad if you leave my gift? Come on, give it a try. It's the best I could get when we stopped by a town this morning."

Nadia uncorked the wine bottle. What followed the soft pop was a unique, fruity fragrance that tickled their nostrils. It was alluring enough that Eclair glanced at the bottle with interest.

"Violet Delano. I never thought it would go as far as this country. From where did you pilfer that wine?"

"Oh? You're pretty sharp, huh? And let me tell you, I'm no thief."

"Whatever."

"Hmm… Are you a fan of this booze?"

"At least I drank it in every soiree I attended." Eclair scoffed.

"Wow. You sure have high palate. Now that explains your honest-for-nothing swordsmanship." Nadia began pouring the wine into some mugs.

"That does not erase the fact that you still lost to Lord Ryu's bare fists."

"Hey, he got this insanely powerful martial art, you know. It's not fair."

"Can you two stop talking about fighting over dinner?" Suiryu chided.

"Guess you're the upright guy, huh?" Nadia offered two mugs to the pair. "Should be hard for you."

He didn't find Eclair as the handful type. He took the remark as a pricking jab and scowled. Truly, his guest that night was annoyingly perceptive.

Meanwhile, Eclair glanced at the mugs offered their way. She thought about how he would handle it, but her worry was unfounded, his look heralding her relief. Violet Delano was considered very light compared to rucolu aka Maiden of Memory. Noblemen often served it as a pleasantry drink.

'Unless you chug it down one full bottle. I am sure Lord Suiryu is strong enough to handle it.'

"Thanks for the fish and wine. And your rough sympathy as well." Suiryu took the mug as Eclair sighed.

"Hahaha… You're funny!" The orca pointed at Suiryu.

"What's fun in laughing at the guy who beat you down?" Suiryu frowned.

"True. I take that you have written your last wish." Eclair added coldly, biting the fish with irritation.

"Wow, that's pretty harsh. Are you going to boot me out?"

Turning to Suiryu's face, Eclair caught the message he wished to convey. She was more angered than irked, but she believed that he wouldn't go as far as picking a fight with a guest who had presented such a decent treat. Thus, she obeyed him.

"Not if you stay quiet."

"Aight." Nadia rolled her eyes. "Now, let's have the drink!"

'Just what kind of lass I'm dealing with now?' Suiryu mentally sighed at the absurdity of Nadia's cheerful ignorance as Eclair fortified her patience. 'A drunkard? I hope not.'

"Cheers!"

"Yeah, cheers." Suiryu said with dim enthusiasm.

"For our glory."

They gulped the drink without knowing so much what would follow.

"Wahaha…! Is that for real?"

"Yesh, yesh! Can you imazine dat! A waz pushe'd dawn by him! Oh, id was scawyy, butzz… Ids fun!"

"Oho! Now that's grand!"

'Now what the fuck are they talking about!? You're embarrassing us, Eclair!'

Ten minutes had barely passed, but Suiryu already placed his palm over his face. The former knight ranted her first time to the stranger in her drunkenness. Her head bobbed as her cheeks burned, her words bursting like a water gushing through a broken dam. The embarrassment only added the agony from the dizziness due to his relatively weak tolerance to stiff drinks.

This began as a drinking bout between the girls. Eclair who wouldn't admit loss was dragged into the heat and gulped down every shot she could get. On the other side, Nadia drank like it was just fresh water. As Suiryu sat quietly at the sidelines, drowned in his thoughts, his companion fell to the unforgiving bliss of drunkenness.

He should put a stop before it was too late.

"Eclair, can you stop it?" Suiryu asked, putting on an intimidating look.

"Huh? Whaddya sey? Can ya mind ya own buzzinezz? Shoo!"

His face fell into sad scowl. His look of disbelief was so priceless that Nadia snorted, stifling a guffaw.

Nadia sipped her Violet Delano. "Wow. That's cruel. I thought you're also the romantic type."

"Romatig? Hehe… Dunno, bud I guezz you're wrighd. Lemme probe id." Eclair sported a goofy smile and pounced Suiryu, forcing a smack onto his cheek.

"H-hey!"

"Wohow!" Nadia beamed at the scene.

Eclair started sticking out her tongue and licked his face, but upon meeting his skin, her head slipped down to his chest. Triggered by the taste and thud, there she barfed, dirtying his linen shirt.

"Ahhh…! Ow… Eclair!"

"Eww… That's a total waste for the dinner you cooked." Nadia remarked with faint amusement.

"Can you at least help me out?" Suiryu shot an incredulous look as he rubbed Eclair's back, letting her expel the excess element from her body.

His quiet and enjoyable dinner was ruined. He wasn't sure about who should take the blame, but he really regretted his decision for letting her crash in. As he cleaned Eclair's mess with hard feelings, a certain pair walked in.

"Yo."

"Oh, you seem to have a quite rough time."

"Chief, Larsazusa?"

"Hi, Little Sasa. And Little Loren as well."

Loren frowned when he took note of Suiryu's pitiable situation. Suiryu responded with a tired smile as Larsazusa went forward and put her paw on Nadia's shoulder.

"Big sis, you sure like to bully our new recruits, huh? Guess we'll squeeze you dry like a workhorse."

"Hey, I'm a fish, okay. Besides, I've got a contract from another employer already." Nadia pointed at her chest.

Loren picked the wine bottle and gazed at the orca sharply. "That's not our business. We're suffering some loss over here, and you took part in it. You pay."

"Eeeh~!" Nadia hung her head.

"Ryu, for now, you can rest. We'll handle Nadia. We're sorry for the trouble she'd caused." Larsazusa bowed in apology.

"O-oh."

As he picked Eclair up, Loren and Larsazusa dragged Nadia away. He brought her into their tent, sinking in thought.

"Just who are they…?"

On the second day of the return, the Fighting Falcon should take a detour since the main road was inaccessible due too a flood and some landslides. The delay had forced them to hunker down in a town nearby an alternative route. To fill the time, they either lazed around the inns or took some small requests to hunt pesky monsters near the local crops.

The mood of the soldiers of fortune was relatively low, but not to a point where they lost motivation completely. They were surely tired, some were still gloomy from losing their comrades, however some others could still fill the local tavern with sings and laughs at night.

Amid the little merriness, Suiryu slipped away from the tavern. Before the ale took a pinch on his balance, he decided to quit and went back to the inn.

He passed a muddy dirt road and climbed some sloping stone stairs that led to a church over a hill. As a calming night breeze brushed his hair, he took a seat near a rampart that overlooked a valley and grain fields. It was a sight he loved to regal himself with.

"Man, how long has it been?" He sighed in momentary silence, his lips loosened into a somber smile. "Years, maybe? Well, I'm sorry, Ojii-san, Suiko. I'm sorry for leaving you."

His mind went to reminisce some sweet recollections, long enough until he saw the hanging half moon at its apex. He left, taking a walk through a little stone bridge at the left wing of the church's yard. He passed a winding cobblestone road and found a humble building at the hill's skirt. The signboard with the logo of a rose painted in blue hung above the door. That was the inn.

"Coming back early, young lord?" The innkeeper said amicably when Suiryu opened the door.

"Yeah. I want to take a rest." He replied, smiling at the friendly old man.

"I see. The mistress has been waiting. I hope you would get the best of rest tonight." The old man grinned knowingly.

"Thanks. See you tomorrow, Emanuel. Good night." Suiryu waved, casting a rather uncomfortable smile.

"Good night, master Ryu."

He went straight to his room upstairs. He pressed the handle and it opened without any resistance, unlocked.

The room was dark, but he could still make out some objects, thanks to a meager moonlight that filtered through the window. However, something felt off. He sensed not only one presence. There were two. He immediately raised his guard, eyes peeled in alert.

"Whoever you are, show up!"

"[First Lantern]!"

A gentle light wrapped the room, illuminating the caster and the person nearby. Standing beside the bed, Eclair had the magical light ball float over her palm. She wore a white buttoned-up shirt, her usual sleep uniform.

What took Suiryu aback was the presence of Nadia, standing at the other bedside. She was clad in blue panties with nothing but her long black hair to cover her top.

"Welcome back, Lord Suiryu!"

"Hey, boss!"

"Ugh… Can you explain this, Eclair?" He nervously eyed the girls who looked more and more tempting by the seconds. "Why is she here?"

"Oh, long story short, we made a deal." Eclair turned at Nadia.

"Yep. I want to work with you. I've talked about this with little Eclair, and since I lost, I must offer something. She threw me this challenge out of the blue and I took it. Well, not that I have any complaint, though. Cause I think this will be fun."

"Fun, you said?"

Suiryu looked down at the floor as he crossed his arms. He never knew that in mere 48 hours, they became fast friends. They seemed to have talked everything over and came to terms with their difference. He admitted that he missed so many things in the journey after that rather messy dinner.

Their secret deal aside, judging by their looks, they had agreed to set the battleground for three people. It truly reminded him to his old wild adventures. This kind of indulgence was something he always looked forward to whenever he took a night stroll.

Fantastic, and it did happen.

Here, it happened again. And he didn't even try.

To think that he didn't need to hook ladies since they came all the way to him, it sounded preposterously easy. However hard he tried to deny it, here he was, standing before two girls he encountered randomly, but willingly would pleasure him. His devil couldn't hold it anymore.

'Another world truly is a bliss!'

"And you're cool with it, Eclair?" He turned towards Eclair.

"W-well, I think I hold no objection. Although I was surprised at how easily she complied, it is something we have agreed upon."

"What about you?"

"She said it's gonna be awesome, so what do I need to complain?" Nadia shrugged.

"Heh! Alright. If you say so."

He released all the restraints of garments almost as fast as his punch. The girls stared with wide eyes and the moment his original weapon came into view, their faces went red. Eclair's look was packed with ecstasy, Nadia's with awe and wonder.

"Let's get into this!"

For the serpent was about to raze two dungeons.

"Ah yess!"

"What the–! Whoah it's so…!"

Atop the roof of the small church, a figure in all black was standing, looking intently at the inn across the little bridge. Hidden in a cloak, no one could tell whether the figure was male of female. Their gaze in particular was set over an open window on the second floor of a certain building.

Through a monocular, they could see clearly what the occupants of that room were doing. They momentarily tore their gaze away, taking a deep breath. It appeared that the event they were observing was something that bit their composure. A degree of mental fortitude was more than just needed.

"… T-this is… What I am doing right at the moment is a genuine voyeurism. Although I have the permission from Her Royal Majesty, the problem is, how should I report this?" They peeped through the monocular once again, cringing when the occupants moved closer toward the window as if to show to the world how they had fun. "Oh, Spear Hero, would you like to stop batting your spear at those ladies?! However pleased they might look, debauchery is a path to ruin!"

Author's Note

Yeah. Starting from this point, it's gonna be a harem. Suiryu is a massive chad like young Bang, so it's a waste if he only sticc with Eclair.

Some of you might think the reason I didn't pair him with Sadeena from the beginning. The answer is simply because I want to follow a little bit of Motoyasu's route like in Yari no Yuusha no Yarinaoshi. The rest, is how I return the route to the original Shield-bro while I add some beauties to join his caravan along the road. So, expect some of the babes in Shield-bro to join him. B-)

Hope you enjoy this. Thanks for checking out this story and see you in the next one. ;-)